Data store for a modular assembly system

ABSTRACT

A data store for a modular assembly system is described. The data store comprises a number of records, each record relating to a physical module in the modular assembly system and comprising a module ID, an owner ID for the module and one or more properties fields. The properties field(s) define any property of the module and different records may define different properties. At least one of the fields in each data record (e.g. the module ID or owner ID) is verified by an authentication service. A user assembles two or more modules into a coherent physical whole object to act as a user input device to an interactive software experience. The data store communicates with the interactive software experience and causes a change in behavior of the interactive software experience in response to a check of the data records for each of the modules in the object.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/205,077, filed Mar. 11, 2014, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

There are many ways that a user can interact with a computer game andtypically a user controls the game via a keyboard and mouse, gamescontroller (which may be handheld or detect body movement) or touchscreen, dependent upon the platform on which the game is being played(e.g. computer, games console or handheld device). A number of gameshave also been developed in which gameplay is enabled (or unlocked)through the use of physical character toys which are placed on a custombase connected to a games console. By placing different toys on thecustom base, different gameplay is enabled.

The embodiments described below are not limited to implementations whichsolve any or all of the disadvantages of known gaming systems.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in orderto provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identifykey/critical elements or delineate the scope of the specification. Itssole purpose is to present a selection of concepts disclosed herein in asimplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that ispresented later.

A data store for a modular assembly system is described. The data storecomprises a number of records, each record relating to a physical modulein the modular assembly system and comprising a module ID, a propertiesfield and in various examples, an owner ID for the module. Theproperties field(s) define any property of the module and differentrecords may define different properties. At least one of the fields ineach data record (e.g. the module ID or owner ID) is verified by anauthentication service. A user assembles two or more modules into acoherent physical whole object to act as a user input device to aninteractive software experience. The data store communicates with theinteractive software experience and causes a change in behavior of theinteractive software experience in response to a check of the datarecords for each of the modules in the object.

Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the followingdetailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example system comprising a datastore which interacts with an interactive software experience;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the coherent physical whole objectshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing an example method of operation of adata store;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example method of operation of aninteractive software experience;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another example system comprising adata store which interacts with an interactive software experience;

FIG. 6 illustrates two exemplary computing-based devices in whichembodiments of the methods described herein may be implemented.

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is notintended to represent the only forms in which the present example may beconstructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of theexample and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating theexample. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may beaccomplished by different examples.

A system is described below which comprises a data store that storesinformation about physical modules which are components of a largeruser-assembled object. A user can connect two or more of the modulestogether to form a coherent physical whole object (which may be referredto as a ‘modular toy’) and by selecting different combinations and/orarrangements of modules, different objects can be created. The datastore (which may be a central store or distributed) comprises a numberof data records, each record being associated with a physical module andcomprising a module ID (i.e. an identifier for the module), one or moreproperties of the module and in various examples, an owner ID (i.e. anidentifier for the owner of the module). At least one of the module IDand owner ID fields are verified by an authentication service. The datastore provides an interface to enable an interactive software experience(such as a game) to check one or more records and this check may triggera change in the behavior of the interactive software experience, or maycause other actions such as changes to the data in the data store (e.g.recording history of use of the toy). As described in more detail below,the checking may be performed by the interactive software experience orthe data store itself (in response to a request by the interactivesoftware experience). Records in the data store may be updated by theinteractive software experience, a module (e.g. the module to which therecord relates or another module) or another application.

In addition to being affected by the outcome of the check of one or morerecords in the data store, operation of the interactive softwareexperience is also affected by the particular combination of moduleswhich are put together to form the object and in various examples by anysubsequent user interaction with the object, as the object acts as auser input device for the interactive software experience. Userinteraction with one or more modules or one or more objects (formed frommodules) translates into inputs to the interactive software experienceand the translation (from user interaction to interactive softwareexperience input) may be performed within a module, within the objectand/or within the interactive software experience.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 100 comprising a data store101 which interacts with an interactive software experience 102 and mayalso interact with an object 108 formed from a plurality of physicalmodules 106. The interactive software experience runs on acomputing-based device 104 and interacts with the plurality of modules106 which are connected together to form the coherent physical wholeobject 108. The interactive software experience 102 may, for example, bea game, social media application, personal organization application(e.g. which enables one or more users to set out a family/work schedulethrough physical tokens in the form of modules which representparticular tasks), multimedia application (e.g. which allows a user tocompose photographs and music represented by physical tokens in the formof modules into a slideshow/movie for sharing), etc. The interactivesoftware experience 102 comprises device-executable instructions, whichwhen executed implement the features of the experience, some of whichare described herein, and these device-executable instructions may bestored on the computing-based device 104 or may be stored remotely.

The data store 101 comprises a plurality of data records 110, eachrecord being relating to (i.e. being associated with) a physical module106 and comprising the ID of the module 112 (or module ID), anidentifier for the owner of the module 114 (or owner ID) and one or moreproperties 116 of the module. At least one of the module ID 112 andowner ID 114 fields are verified by an authentication service 118 (whichmay form part of the system 100 or be external to the system) and thedata store 101 and/or the interactive software experience 102 maycommunicate with the authentication service 118. An authenticationservice provides a method of securely verifying properties about afield's value, e.g. that the owner ID is correct, or that the module IDhas been issued to the module by a trusted party and thereby that themodule is not a counterfeit. The module ID 112 for a module 106 may beunique to that module and the owner ID 114 is unique to the owner of themodule (which may be a person or other entity, such as manufacturer ofthe module, or the owner of the design of the module which may licensemanufacturing rights to other companies), although a person or otherentity may have more than one distinct owner ID. In various examples,the data records 110 may not include an owner ID field.

The properties field(s) 116 within each data record 110 may comprise anyproperty of the module to which the record relates (as identified by themodule ID 112). Examples of properties include, but are not limited to:GPS location data for the module (e.g. a “home” location and/or acurrent location), interoperability data (e.g. which other modules ortypes of modules the module can interwork with and/or which interactivesoftware experiences the module can be used with), statistics for themodule (e.g. length of time in use, etc.), virtual objects associatedwith the module (e.g. where these objects have been collected within aninteractive software experience), permissions associated with the module(e.g. which fields within the data record can be changed and by whom andin various examples the permissions may be dependent upon the use of theobject, such as which interactive software experience it is being usedwith), interactive software experience data (e.g. textures,device-executable instructions for the software experience or a partthereof, etc.), state data (which may be specific to a particularinteractive software experience or independent of any interactivesoftware experience) and references to a secondary (or further) database120 (e.g. which may contain additional information about, for example,the owner of the module, as identified by the owner ID 114). It will beappreciated that where the properties field comprises sensitive userdata, consent may be collected from the user to store and release thisdata.

In various examples the properties field 116 may define sets of modules,these sets of modules may, for example, be predefined sets of moduleswhich work well together and which when used together unlock particularfeatures of the interactive software experience. Similarly, sets may bedefined which do not work well together. The sets may be advertised tothe user or visible through module form factors (e.g. all modules thatare robot body parts may work together, but modules which are animalbody parts may not work with robot body parts) or in other examples, aset may be a particular combination that a user may discover throughinteraction with the modules. Although the sets are described above asbeing part of the constant data, in other examples, set data may formpart of the variable data (described below), with sets forming over time(e.g. based on which modules a user regularly uses together to form anobject).

Where the properties field 116 comprises interactive software experiencedata, this may comprise game data, such as:

-   -   a 2D/3D representation of the module which can be used within a        graphical user interface (GUI) of the interactive software        experience to represent the module (e.g. a 3D model, image        and/or texture map) or other data describing the module's        physical characteristics (e.g. its shape, its texture, etc.)        which is used by the interactive software experience to render        the experience    -   audio snippets or text associated with that module, e.g. to be        used in the portrayal of that module's character (or be        integrated into the portrayal of the coherent whole object's        character)    -   specifications of movements associated with that module or        character, e.g. for an arm module it may have characteristic        arm-swing action(s) while the coherent whole character is        walking or running, etc.    -   a mini-game which is enabled within the interactive software        experience as a result of using the module or a particular        combination (e.g. set) of modules or may be enabled when the        user reaches a particular point in the interactive software        experience (e.g. at a particular score or level), this may be        considered to be part of the interactive software experience    -   story-line elements from the interactive software experience        (e.g. cut-scenes, new missions, etc.), again this may be        considered to be part of the interactive software experience    -   the entire interactive software experience (e.g. executable        files comprising the interactive software experience or part        thereof).

Where the properties field 116 comprises state data, this may comprisestate data which is specific to a particular interactive softwareexperience (e.g. game dependent) or independent of the interactivesoftware experience with which the module is used (e.g. gameindependent). Examples of state data which is independent of theinteractive software experience with which the module is used include:

-   -   a total real world time in use or number of total uses    -   percent history of use    -   physical state information for the module (e.g. physical failure        states such as an indicator that a sensor has failed or a        rotating arm cannot rotate, battery levels, etc.)    -   details of use with other modules (e.g. IDs of other modules        that it has been used with, details of sets of modules which        have been used together with the module, etc.)    -   details of the interactive software experiences with which the        module has been used    -   details of the devices with which the modules have interacted        (e.g. devices executing the interactive software experience) or        otherwise sensed, e.g. by sensing their Bluetooth MAC address.    -   details of where in the world the module has been used, and of        other modules that were also present in such locations (and        other users that were present)

Examples of state data which is specific to a particular interactivesoftware experience include:

-   -   History within the interactive software experience, e.g. a        timeline of use, possibly detailed enough to facilitate        re-viewing of past events.    -   Scores or values which are specific to the particular        interactive software experience and may, for example,        “achievements” unlocked, etc.    -   Details of use with other modules in the particular interactive        software experience (e.g. IDs of other modules that it has been        used with, details of sets of modules which have been used        together with the module, etc.)    -   Details of virtual items from/for the interactive software        experience (e.g. such that a module's storage acts as a        container for these virtual items)        Where the interactive software experience is a game, the history        may comprise a history of past fight encounters and/or the        scores/values detailed above may, for example, comprise one or        more of:    -   One or more attribute values, e.g. health, speed, durability,        etc.    -   An experience indicator    -   Details of any powerups or special skills that have been        learned/earned/won by the particular module in the game.

Where the properties field 116 comprises a reference to anotherdatabase, this database may contain additional information about theowner of the module as identified by the owner ID 114 within the datarecord 110. By using such a reference, an owner may have properties(e.g. state, user characteristics, permissions, etc.) which arereflected in all the modules that they own. Where the referenceidentifies user characteristics (e.g. a user's age), this may enabledifferent permissions to be associated with modules based on usercharacteristics of the owner (as identified by the owner ID 114).

Where the properties field 116 comprises a reference to anotherdatabase, this database may contain additional information about themodule, such as generic properties which are applicable to all modulesof a particular type. By using such a reference, properties may bereflected in a group of modules such that properties do not need to bereplicated within each data record 110 for each module in the groupand/or stored within the interactive software experience. In an example,all modules of the type “robot arm” may comprise a link to a databaseentry which details the generic properties for all robot arms. Modulesof the type “robot head” may comprise a link to a different databaseentry which details the generic properties for all robot heads.

It will be appreciated that the secondary database 120 may be part ofthe system 100 or external to the system. Furthermore, where thesecondary database 120 is part of the system 100 it may be co-locatedwith the data store 101.

Through inclusion of different elements within the properties field(s)116, various different mechanisms are enabled within the system 100,such as enabling transactions involving modules, theft prevention,anti-counterfeiting measures (e.g. anti-cloning, anti-copying), etc. andthese and other examples are described in more detail below. Whilst theinteractive software experience changes its behavior in response to acheck of a plurality of data records, it will be appreciated that wherecounterfeit or stolen modules are identified as a result of thesechecks, the interactive software experience may not change its behaviorin a way which is visible to the user (e.g. the problem may be flaggedto a third party in a manner which is not visible to the user, forexample, for offline action). Alternatively, although there may be achange in the visible behavior, this may be unrelated to theidentification of a module being counterfeit or stolen (but may be inresponse to other aspects of the check performed) and any flagging ofthe issue with the module may be performed by the data store rather thanthe interactive software experience.

Although FIG. 1 shows a single data store 101, the data store 101 may beimplemented as a central data store or a distributed data store. Wherethe data store 101 is implemented as a distributed data store, theindividual data records 110 may be stored locally on the module to whichthey relate or there may be multiple data stores within the system eachstoring some or all of the data records 110 (e.g. there may beduplication of data records between data stores). In various examples,there may be a combination of a central data store and a plurality ofdistributed data stores, where each data record is stored in both thecentral data store and one of the plurality of distributed data stores.In such examples, one copy of each data record (e.g. the copy stored inthe distributed data store) may be denoted the primary version. In anexample, a data record may be stored in the module to which it relatesmay be the primary version and a copy of this data record may be storedin a central store. In such an example, an interactive softwareexperience may access the data records stored in the central store andthe central store may update their records periodically or when changesoccur to the primary version of a record such that the central storeremains substantially synchronized with the primary versions of eachdata record.

Furthermore, although FIG. 1 shows a single object 108, a singleinteractive software experience 102, a single computing-based device 104and a single further database 120, in other examples there may be morethan one object 108 which interacts with the interactive softwareexperience 102, multiple computing-based devices 104, multipleinteractive software experiences 102, and/or multiple further databases120.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the coherent physical whole object 108shown in FIG. 1. It can be seen in FIG. 2 that each module 106, 202, 204comprises a storage element 206 (e.g. a memory) and one or moreconnectors 208, 210. The connectors 208, 210 physically attach themodules 106, 202, 204 together and may also pass data and power betweenmodules. The storage element 206 which may be integrated within aconnector (e.g. as shown in module 204 in FIG. 2) or separate from aconnector (e.g. as shown in module 202 in FIG. 2), is arranged to storethe ID of the module (the module ID 112) and may also store other data,such as the owner ID, or other data for the module (referred to asmodule data). The module IDs are used by the interactive softwareexperience 102 to identify which modules 106 have been used to form theobject 108 and are then used to access data records 110 for the modules106. As described above, both the module IDs and the accessed data mayaffect the operation (or behavior) of the interactive softwareexperience 102.

Once assembled by a user from the modules 106, 202, 204, the coherentphysical whole object 108 is physically attached together to form asingle object, i.e. requiring a deliberate action by the user to detach(e.g. an applied force to overcome a mechanical friction fit or amagnetic attachment holding the modules together, or an unclasping orthreading action so that a module can be removed or disconnected from anadjacent module). This is in contrast to systems in which a module ormodules are sensed to be near or touching one another, but no mechanicalelement holds them together (with the exception of gravity, if the wholeassembly is only lifted vertically from underneath). The coherentphysical whole object 108 is moveable freely (e.g. in three dimensions)by a user and is capable of communicating with the interactive softwareexperience while it is in motion. The coherent physical whole object 108(and/or the modules from which it is formed) may comprise mechanicalarticulation or movement affordances, e.g. it may have joints such ashinges, or some elements may be mobile compared to other elements, e.g.sliding or rotation with respect to one another.

The modules 106, 202, 204 may, for example, represent parts (e.g. head,body, limbs) of a humanoid/animal/mystical character (e.g. a human,animal or robot), vehicles or parts thereof (e.g. chassis, wheels, roof,etc.), accessories for a vehicle or character (e.g. weapons, clothing,armor, or other objects which the character may wear/carry/hold), tracks(e.g. for a car, train, human, animal or other mobile object), bricks(e.g. as part of a construction set), baseboards or levels (e.g. wherethe tracks/bricks/baseboards/levels may form part of a playset such as atrain set, model village, tower block, dolls house or otherconstruction) or parts of an educational toy (e.g. parts of a molecularmodel, skeleton or body, etc.).

At least one of the modules 106, 202, 204 in the coherent physical wholeobject 108 comprises a communications module 212 which enables themodule 202 to communicate with the game software 102. Any suitablecommunication technology may be used, including wireless technologies(e.g. Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), WiFi™ or WiFi™ Direct,Near Field Communication (NFC), 802.15.4, etc.) and wired technologies.The communications module 212 may communicate directly with thecomputing device 104 running the interactive software experience 102(e.g. smartphone, tablet computer, games console, etc.) or maycommunicate via a network (e.g. a home network or the internet) orintermediary device (e.g. a wireless access point) or intermediaryserver (e.g. cloud server).

The information which is communicated from the coherent physical wholeobject 108 to the interactive software experience 102 (via thecommunication module 212) comprises the IDs of the modules 106, 202, 204and may also comprise information about their arrangement (which may bereferred to as topology information), sensor data (if any of the modulesinclude sensors), some or all of the module data stored in the modulesetc. Where only one of the modules comprises a communication module 212(e.g. as shown in FIG. 2) this module 202 (which may be referred to as acore module) may aggregate the data for the other modules 204 in theobject 108 (which may be referred to as peripheral modules) and send theaggregated data to the interactive software experience 102. Where eachmodule comprises a communication module, each module may communicatedata about itself to the interactive software experience 102. In otherexamples, any module that comprises a communication module 212 may sendits own data and optionally data for one or more other modules withinthe object 108.

In various examples, one or more of the modules (e.g. a module 202 whichalso comprises a communication module 212) may also comprise a processorarranged to collect the IDs of other modules (e.g. all modules or asubset of modules) connected to form the coherent physical whole 108 andto collect other data from each of the modules. The processor may be amicroprocessor, controller or any other suitable type of processor forprocessing computer executable instructions to control the operation ofthe core module in order to collect data from connected modules. Invarious examples, the data may be collected by a core module from eachof the connected modules directly (e.g. via a bus which is electricallyconnected via the connectors or other means, such as using NFC, QR codesor computer vision). In other examples, however, each module may collectinformation on its neighbors such that a core module aggregates the dataprovided by its direct neighbor modules.

It will be appreciated that the modules 106, 202, 204 may compriseadditional elements not shown in FIG. 2, such as batteries, sensors,actuators, displays, additional hardware logic, etc. It will further beappreciated that although FIGS. 1 and 2 show one module 106, 202 as arobot body and the other modules 106, 204 as the head and limbs, each ofthe modules can have any physical form factor (e.g. any shape ofexternal housing) which is compatible with the other modules (i.e. eachmodule is shaped such that it can connect to at least one other module,without the outer housing clashing).

The operation of the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be described withreference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing an examplemethod of operation of the data store 101 and FIG. 4 is a flow diagramshowing an example method of operation of the interactive softwareexperience 102.

As described above, the data store 101 stores a plurality of datarecords 110, each relating to a physical module 106 which can beconnected to other modules 106 by a user to form a coherent physicalwhole object 108. Each record 110 comprises a number of fields,including the module ID 112, properties 116 and optionally an owner ID114.

When an object initially connects to an interactive software experience102, the interactive software experience 102 receives data identifyingthe modules forming the object (block 402), as shown in FIG. 4. Asdescribed above, this data may be received from one of the modules 106within the object 108 or from more than one module within the object. Inresponse to receiving this data about the modules in the object (inblock 402), the interactive software experience communicates with thedata store 101 (block 404 or 420). The interactive software experience102 may request data from the data store 101 about each of the modulesin the object (block 404). In various examples, the interactive softwareexperience 102 may be required to communicate with the data store 101 tocheck the data records for each module each time a module is used withthe interactive software experience; however, in other examples, theinteractive software experience may check the data records less often.

In response to receiving a request for data (or access request) from theinteractive software experience (block 306), the data store 101 providesthe corresponding data to the interactive software experience (block308), e.g. the data store 101 may send the data record (or a subset ofeach data record) for each of the modules identified in the accessrequest to the interactive software experience. In some examples, thedata may not be sent (in block 308) unless the data store successfullyauthenticates the interactive software experience (block 310). Theauthentication may involve the authentication service 118, e.g. via theuse of shared secret and a challenge/response sequence, public/privatekey encryption, one-time key generation, or any other authenticationtechnique.

When the interactive software experience receives the data records fromthe data store (block 406), it performs a check on those records (block408). The check (in block 408) may, for example, involve checking thatthe user of the interactive experience owns the modules they are usingor has been given permissions to use that module by the owner (e.g. fortheft prevention), checking that the modules forming the object arepermitted to be used together (e.g. based on interoperability data inthe properties field 116), checking that the modules are permitted to beused with the particular interactive software experience (e.g. againbased on interoperability data in the properties field 116), checkingthat the module is not counterfeit (e.g. based on using theauthentication service to verify that its manufacture was approved),checking against geographic location (e.g. modules which are releasedonly within a certain set of countries), checking against time or date(e.g. a prerelease module might be physically distributed but onlybecome usable on a given day), checking against known blacklists orwhitelists (e.g. checking that a module has not been reported destroyedand a replacement issued), etc. Based on the outcome of the checksperformed (in block 408), the interactive software experience updatesthe way that it operates (block 410). There are many different ways thatthe operation may be affected and three examples are shown in FIG. 4:enabling functionality (e.g. enabling game play) as a result of thecheck (block 412), disabling functionality (e.g. disabling game play) asa result of the check (block 414) and/or modifying functionality (e.g.modifying game play) as a result of the check (block 416).

For example, functionality may be disabled (in block 414) where apermissions or interoperability field (within the properties field(s)116) indicate that the module cannot be used with the particularinteractive software experience. In various examples this may be userdependent or dependent on characteristics of the owner, where thesecharacteristics may be stored within a data record or within a secondarydatabase referenced within the data record.

There are many ways in which functionality (e.g. game play, where theinteractive software experience is a game) may be modified (in block416). The modification may be to the graphical user interface (GUI)and/or to the sequence of instructions/events within the interactivesoftware experience (e.g. dependent upon the outcome of the check,different sequences of instructions/events may occur,instructions/events may be omitted/added to a sequence, etc.).

As also shown in FIG. 3, in various examples in response to receivingupdated data relating to a module (block 302), the data store 101updates the corresponding data record (block 304). The updated data maybe received from the module to which it relates or from another moduleand in either example, the updated data is sent to the data store withthe module ID of the module to which the data relates. In furtherexamples, the updated data may be received from a user or an interactivesoftware experience, as described in more detail below. Thecorresponding data record which is updated (in block 304) is thereforethe record which contains the module ID received with the updated data(in block 302).

In the method described above the data check is performed by theinteractive software experience (in block 408) based on the data recordsprovided to it by the data store 101 (in block 308). In other examples,however, the checks may be performed by the data store 101 instead ofthe interactive software experience 102, or both parties (the data store101 and the interactive software experience 102) may perform somechecks.

In various examples where checks are performed by the data store 101instead of the interactive software experience 102, the interactivesoftware experience 102 generates a data query based on the module datareceived from the modules (block 420). The data query is sent to thedata store (block 422) and in response to receiving the data query(block 320), the data store analyzes the query and the correspondingdata records (block 322), where again the corresponding data records arethose records having module IDs which match those module IDs identifiedin the query. The analysis performed (in block 322) may be similar tothe checks described above (with reference to block 408), for example,checking that the user of the interactive experience owns the modulesthey are using (e.g. for theft prevention), checking that the modulesforming the object are permitted to be used together (e.g. based oninteroperability data in the properties field 116), checking that themodules are permitted to be used with the particular interactivesoftware experience (e.g. again based on interoperability data in theproperties field 116), etc. Having performed the analysis (in block322), the data store provides a query result to the interactive softwareexperience (blocks 324 and 424) and this is used to update the operationof the interactive software experience (in block 410).

There may be some checks that are performed that can only be performedby the data store 101 and not by the interactive software experience102, such as checking that a module ID is a valid ID (e.g. as part of ananti-copying measure) and checking for duplicate module IDs (e.g. aspart of an anti-cloning measure).

In various examples there may only be a single data record associatedwith a single physical module; however in other examples multiple datarecords may be used for the same physical module (i.e. having the samemodule ID) to record the activities of multiple users using the sameobject (e.g. different members of a family). Where there are multipledata records with the same module ID, these data records aredistinguished based on the owner ID (which corresponds to the user). Useof multiple data records for the same physical module in this way mayenable different users to have different permissions (e.g. to implementparental control functionality such that a user who is a child can onlyuse the module with child-friendly games).

In various examples, the access request (received by the data store inblock 306) and/or the analysis (performed by the data store in block322) may result in an update to a data record for a module (block 326).For example, where the properties field(s) 116 for a module include dataabout its use, this data may be updated each time an interactivesoftware experience indicates to the data store (by means of an accessrequest or data query) that a module is being used with it. In anotherexample, where the analysis performed by the data store (in block 322)identifies an anomaly, the data record to which the anomaly relates maybe updated to prevent further use of the module (i.e. to effectivelydeactivate the module). The deactivation may be achieved by setting aproperties field to ‘inactive’ or ‘deactivated’ or similar and/or byremoving some or all of the data record from the data store. Examples ofan anomaly may include a user who is not the owner using a module oridentification of a duplicate module ID (e.g. two modules with the samemodule ID being used simultaneously within the system 100 or two moduleswith the same module being used within a short time period within thesystem 100 but at distant geographic locations) etc.

There may be other situations which result in a data record beingupdated to prevent further use of the module. In various examples, thedata store may provide an interface to enable a user to update datarecords for modules that they own, i.e. data records which contain theirowner ID 114. This may, for example, enable a user to communicate withthe data store 101 if one of their modules is lost or stolen and as aresult the modules may be deactivated. Such an interface 502, which isshown in the system 500 in FIG. 5, may also enable users 504 to updatethe data records in other ways (e.g. to perform a factory reset on amodule, which restores all properties to their initial values) and/or toperform transactions with their modules, such as selling or lendingmodules, where any transfer of a module (whether temporary or permanent)may be a software swap or a hardware swap.

Where the transfer (e.g. sale or loan) is a hardware swap, usersphysically transfer the actual module (e.g. from user A to user B) andcommunicate with the data store to cause the data record associated withthe module to be updated from {module ID, owner ID=user A, properties}to {module ID, owner ID=user B, properties}. In contrast, where thetransfer is a software swap, there is no physical transfer of a moduleand instead the properties of a physical module (e.g. module A)belonging to one user (e.g. user A) are instead associated with aphysical module (e.g. module B) belonging to another user (e.g. user B).Again, at least user A (i.e. the owner of the module the properties ofwhich are being transferred) communicates with the data store to causethe data records for the two modules to be updated from {moduleID=module A, owner ID=user A, properties=properties of module A} and{module ID=module B, owner ID=user B, properties=properties of module B}to {module ID=module A, owner ID=user A, properties=default value} and{module ID=module B, owner ID=user B, properties=properties of moduleA}. In other examples, instead of swapping properties, the module IDsand/or owner IDs may be swapped, for example, the data records for thetwo modules to be updated from {module ID=module A, owner ID=user A,properties=properties of module A} and {module ID=module B, ownerID=user B, properties=properties of module B} to {module ID=module B,owner ID=user A, properties=default value} and {module ID=module A,owner ID=user B, properties=properties of module A}. As a result of thesoftware swap, module B now operates as if it is module A. Module A maybe deactivated as a result of the transfer or reset to factory defaultproperties.

As described above, transfers may be permanent (e.g. where a module issold) or temporary (e.g. where a module is lent to another user). Wherethe transfer is temporary, one of the fields in the data record 110(which may be the owner ID 114 or a properties field 116) may record thepermanent owner (e.g. user A in the example above) and another field mayrecord the temporary owner of the module (e.g. user B in the exampleabove). In an example, the owner ID 114 may record the current owner(whether a temporary or permanent owner) and a properties field 116 mayrecord the ID of the permanent owner of the module (where this may bethe same or different from the ID stored in the owner ID field).

The software swap mechanism described above may also be used in theevent that a physical module is lost, stolen or broken. A user (orsystem administrator) may transfer the properties field(s) associatedwith the module that is being replaced to another (e.g. a new) physicalmodule such that this physical module provides an exact replacement (interms of functionality within the system 100) for the lost/stolen/brokenmodule. In various examples, the interface 502 may provide thefunctionality to enable a user to order a replacement physical moduleand the software swap may be performed by the system administrator priorto shipping the module to the user or by the user when the replacementphysical module is received.

The interface 502 may enable a user to update other aspects of a datarecord (in addition to, or instead of, the owner ID as described above),such as the properties field(s). In an example, the interface 502 mayprovide a user with the ability to set or change permissions associatedwith a module. This may, for example, be used where a user lends amodule to another user and wants to limit the changes to the moduleproperties while the other user is using it. In various examples, a usermay set the properties field(s) of a module to be read only (e.g. bysetting a permissions field within the properties field(s)) so that thetemporary owner of the module can use the module with interactivesoftware experiences but any interaction with the interactive softwareexperience does not result in a change in the data record (e.g.referring back to FIG. 3, even if the data store receives updated datain block 302, this does not cause the data record to be updated, suchthat block 304 is omitted). The read only restriction may apply to allproperties fields or only a subset of those fields. In an example wherethe read only restriction applies to only a subset of the propertiesfields, activities of a temporary owner may not be able result in anupdate skill points or experience fields for the module, but otherproperties fields may be updated.

The interface 502 may, for example, be provided by a cloud-basedservice. As described above, this service may provide centralized accessto the data records 506 for both interactive software experiences 102and users 504.

Although in the above examples, the owner ID 114 corresponds to a userwho owns the module, as described earlier, the owner ID mayalternatively identify an entity other than a user, such as themanufacturer of the module or a licensee (e.g. of a particular characterthat the module resembles part of) and may be referred to as amanufacturer ID. In such examples, the manufacturer ID may, for example,implicitly provide interoperability information (e.g. modules can onlybe used with other modules having the same owner ID), although this mayalso apply where the owner ID corresponds to a user. In examples wherethe owner ID is a manufacturer ID and this manufacturer ID is verifiedusing an authentication service, this may be used as ananti-counterfeiting measure (e.g. such that only genuine modules with avalid manufacturer ID as verified using the authentication service canbe used).

In various examples, a module 106, 202, 204 stores a secret key (e.g. instorage element 206 as shown in FIG. 2) which is a hidden data storefield that is only accessible via retrieving a property derived from thefield (where the property is derived from the field within the module).For example, the module may comprise a secure secret storage whereby alimited-time key (generated by the module from the secret) may be ableto be queried but the secret itself cannot be queried. This limited-timekey can be passed to the authentication service for verification, asdescribed above (e.g. to check that the part is not counterfeit).

In another example, the secret store may operate using achallenge-response protocol, whereby it receives a challenge (a datasequence) and returns the response (another data sequence which is theresult of taking the challenge data and applying cryptographicoperations based on the secret key, e.g. signing the data with thesecret key which may be the private key in a public/private key system).The authentication service therefore operates by providing randomchallenges to the interactive software experiences (e.g. game clients)for forwarding to the modules, then when the authentication servicereceives the response(s) to the challenge (e.g where in one mode ofoperation the same challenge data to be used for all the parts in acoherent whole or alternatively different challenges may be used foreach module in the object), it can provide verification to the gameclient. The verification may be at a high level.

In a third example, the interactive software experience (e.g. gameclient) itself may be untrusted and require verification as part of theprocess. For example, the above process may be augmented such that theinteractive software experience first authenticates (i.e. proving itknows a shared secret) to the authentication service, and then theauthentication service's challenges (to be sent to the parts) may beverifiably sent from the authentication service (i.e. the challenges arethemselves “signed” by the authentication service to prove their originis the authentication service itself). This has advantages in that itprevents the modules from sending any authentication data to untrustedinteractive software experiences (since the interactive softwareexperiences must get “permission” from the authentication system in theform of a signed challenge before the modules will respond to thechallenge) and hence makes it more difficult to break the securitysystem within a module, e.g. through conducting many iterations ofchallenge-response requests with the part in order to gather data whichcould be used to breaking the secret key (some types of such attack maybe referred to as “known plaintext” attacks). While this arrangement ofcommunications has the advantage outlined, there are other ways ofarchitecting this system that may have other advantages, e.g. bybuilding in the authentication service into a trusted interactivesoftware experience, the interactive software experience mayauthenticate itself to the modules directly and then request the modulesauthenticate back, to allow both interactive software experiences andmodules to be sure that the other party is trusted before enablinggameplay to occur, without relying on an internet connection to aninternet-based authentication service.

In a fourth example, there may be no secret key—e.g. for acounterfeiting system, it suffices that the authentication servicereceives details of the module IDs sent from each module, and can thentrack and act on possible counterfeiting occurrences, e.g. because thesame module ID is offered by many interactive software experiences,because requests originate from many geographic locations such that asingle module is unlikely to have physically been at each place, or thenumber of requests is too high to feasibly come from a single user. Theauthentication service could blacklist IDs following such patterns. Tohandle the case that a counterfeit part is programmed to change its ID(e.g. picking a random ID), the authentication service could examinedata such as the known valid module IDs that have been manufactured(which may be a sparse subset of the address space, i.e. not easilyguessable by using a random ID), the number of module IDs that a givenuser or given game client is putting forward for authentication (e.g.detecting behavior of a user who apparently uses each module ID onlyonce or a few times, or a user who apparently owns an infeasible numberof modules, e.g. 1000 s—which is a strong indication of the module usingrandom-address behavior and hence being counterfeit), or that the useris the registered owner of the module ID. Sanctions can includesuspending that user's ID (e.g. Xbox LIVE® ID) or suspending access bythat game client to the authentication service.

FIG. 6 illustrates various components of two exemplary computing-baseddevices 600, 620. The first exemplary computing-based device 600 (suchas computing device 104 in FIGS. 1 and 5) may be implemented as any formof a computing and/or electronic device and on which one or moreinteractive software experiences 102 may run. The second exemplarycomputing-based device 620 (such as data store 101 in FIGS. 1 and 5) maybe implemented as any form of a computing and/or electronic device andon which one or more data records 101 may be stored.

Computing-based device 600, 620 comprises one or more processors 604which may be microprocessors, controllers or any other suitable type ofprocessors for processing computer executable instructions to controlthe operation of the device in order to run the interactive softwareexperience 102 or provide the interface 628 to the data records 110. Insome examples, for example where a system on a chip architecture isused, the processors 604 may include one or more fixed function blocks(also referred to as accelerators) which implement a part of thefunctionality in hardware (rather than software or firmware).Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can beperformed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components.For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardwarelogic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), Program-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program-specificStandard Products (AS SPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), ComplexProgrammable Logic Devices (CPLDs).

Platform software comprising an operating system 606 or any othersuitable platform software may be provided at the computing-based deviceto enable application software, such as the interactive softwareexperience 102 or interface service 628 to be executed on the device.

The computer executable instructions may be provided using anycomputer-readable media that is accessible by computing based device600, 620. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computerstorage media such as memory 608, 628 and communications media. Computerstorage media, such as memory 608, 628, includes volatile andnon-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to storeinformation for access by a computing device. In contrast, communicationmedia may embody computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as acarrier wave, or other transport mechanism. As defined herein, computerstorage media does not include communication media. Therefore, acomputer storage medium should not be interpreted to be a propagatingsignal per se. Propagated signals may be present in a computer storagemedia, but propagated signals per se are not examples of computerstorage media. The memory 628 is also arranged to store the data records110.

Although the computer storage media (memory 608, 628) is shown withinthe computing-based device 600, 620 it will be appreciated that thestorage may be distributed or located remotely and accessed via anetwork or other communication link (e.g. using communication interface610). The communication interface 610 enables the computing-based device600 to communicate with modules 106 and the two computing-based device600, 620 to communicate with each other, either directly or via anetwork or intermediary device. The communication interface 610 may usewired or wireless technology.

The computing-based device 600 also comprises an input/output controller612 arranged to output display information to a display device 614 whichmay be separate from or integral to the computing-based device 600. Thedisplay information may provide a graphical user interface. Theinput/output controller 612 may also be arranged to receive and processinput from one or more devices, such as a user input device 616 (e.g. amouse, keyboard, camera, microphone or other sensor). In some examplesthe user input device 616 may detect voice input, user gestures or otheruser actions and may provide a natural user interface (NUI). This userinput may be used to select or control the interactive softwareexperience 102. In various embodiments the display device 614 may alsoact as the user input device 616 if it is a touch sensitive displaydevice. The input/output controller 612 may also output data to devicesother than the display device, e.g. a locally connected printing device(not shown in FIG. 6).

Any of the input/output controller 612, display device 614 and the userinput device 616 may comprise NUI technology which enables a user tointeract with the computing-based device in a natural manner, free fromartificial constraints imposed by input devices such as mice, keyboards,remote controls and the like. Examples of NUI technology that may beprovided include but are not limited to those relying on voice and/orspeech recognition, touch and/or stylus recognition (touch sensitivedisplays), gesture recognition both on screen and adjacent to thescreen, air gestures, head and eye tracking, voice and speech, vision,touch, gestures, and machine intelligence. Other examples of NUItechnology that may be used include intention and goal understandingsystems, motion gesture detection systems using depth cameras (such asstereoscopic camera systems, infrared camera systems, RGB camera systemsand combinations of these), motion gesture detection usingaccelerometers/gyroscopes, facial recognition, 3D displays, head, eyeand gaze tracking, immersive augmented reality and virtual realitysystems and technologies for sensing brain activity using electric fieldsensing electrodes (EEG and related methods).

Although the present examples are described and illustrated herein asbeing implemented in a system as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the systemdescribed is provided as an example and not a limitation. As thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, the present examples are suitablefor application in a variety of different types of systems includinggaming systems (e.g. where the interactive software experience is agame).

The term ‘computer’ or ‘computing-based device’ is used herein to referto any device with processing capability such that it can executeinstructions. Those skilled in the art will realize that such processingcapabilities are incorporated into many different devices and thereforethe terms ‘computer’ and ‘computing-based device’ each include PCs,servers, mobile telephones (including smart phones), tablet computers,set-top boxes, media players, games consoles, personal digitalassistants and many other devices.

The methods described herein may be performed by software in machinereadable form on a tangible storage medium e.g. in the form of acomputer program comprising computer program code means adapted toperform all the steps of any of the methods described herein when theprogram is run on a computer and where the computer program may beembodied on a computer readable medium. Examples of tangible storagemedia include computer storage devices comprising computer-readablemedia such as disks, thumb drives, memory etc. and do not includepropagated signals. Propagated signals may be present in a tangiblestorage media, but propagated signals per se are not examples oftangible storage media. The software can be suitable for execution on aparallel processor or a serial processor such that the method steps maybe carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously.

This acknowledges that software can be a valuable, separately tradablecommodity. It is intended to encompass software, which runs on orcontrols “dumb” or standard hardware, to carry out the desiredfunctions. It is also intended to encompass software which “describes”or defines the configuration of hardware, such as HDL (hardwaredescription language) software, as is used for designing silicon chips,or for configuring universal programmable chips, to carry out desiredfunctions.

Those skilled in the art will realize that storage devices utilized tostore program instructions can be distributed across a network. Forexample, a remote computer may store an example of the process describedas software. A local or terminal computer may access the remote computerand download a part or all of the software to run the program.Alternatively, the local computer may download pieces of the software asneeded, or execute some software instructions at the local terminal andsome at the remote computer (or computer network). Those skilled in theart will also realize that by utilizing conventional techniques known tothose skilled in the art that all, or a portion of the softwareinstructions may be carried out by a dedicated circuit, such as a DSP,programmable logic array, or the like.

Any range or device value given herein may be extended or alteredwithout losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilledperson.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described abovemay relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. Theembodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the statedproblems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits andadvantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ itemrefers to one or more of those items.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in anysuitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally,individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the subject matter describedherein. Aspects of any of the examples described above may be combinedwith aspects of any of the other examples described to form furtherexamples without losing the effect sought.

The term ‘subset’ is used herein to refer to a proper subset (i.e. suchthat a subset cannot comprise the entire set).

The term ‘comprising’ is used herein to mean including the method blocksor elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprisean exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additionalblocks or elements.

It will be understood that the above description is given by way ofexample only and that various modifications may be made by those skilledin the art. The above specification, examples and data provide acomplete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments.Although various embodiments have been described above with a certaindegree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individualembodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations tothe disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthis specification.

1. A modular system for use with an interactive software experience, thesystem comprising a plurality of physical hardware modules and eachmodule comprising: a storage element arranged to store an identifier ofthe module and module data for the module, wherein at least a portion ofthe module data is updated in use by the interactive softwareexperience; and wherein one or more modules of the plurality includes aprocessor configured to collect data from other modules of theplurality, the data including identifiers of each of the other modules.2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each module of the pluralityincludes one or more connectors for attaching other modules to themodule, each connector being arranged to pass data and power betweenmodules.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein each module of theplurality includes one or more magnetic attachment points for attachingother modules to the module.
 4. The system according to claim 1, whereinthe processor is configured to wirelessly collect the data from theother modules.
 5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: acommunications module arranged to transmit the identifier and some orall of the module data to a computing-based device running theinteractive software experience and to receive updated module data fromthe interactive software experience.
 6. The system according to claim 5,wherein an operation of the interactive software experience is changedbased on one or both of the transmitted identifier and module data. 7.The system according to claim 6, wherein one or both of the transmittedidentifier and module data enable a previously inaccessiblefunctionality of the interactive software experience.
 8. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the module datacomprises state data associated with the interactive softwareexperience.
 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the state dataassociated with the interactive software experience is updated in use bythe interactive software experience.
 10. The system according to claim1, wherein the module data comprises state data which is independent ofthe interactive software experience.
 11. The system according to claim1, wherein the data collected by the processor from the other modules ofthe plurality comprises at least one of the identifier and the moduledata of each of the other modules.
 12. The system according to claim 1,wherein the module data comprises executable files comprising at least apart of the interactive software experience.
 13. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the module data comprises a model of the module for usein the interactive software experience.
 14. The system according toclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of modules are configured to beassembled together into a coherent physical whole object.
 15. The systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the system is configured such that theinteractive software experience is changed based on a unique combinationof modules forming the coherent physical whole object.
 16. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the module data comprises a mini-gameenabled within the interactive software experience as a result of usingthe module with the interactive software experience.
 17. A method ofoperation of a modular system, the method comprising: transmitting anidentifier and module data from a module to an interactive softwareexperience, wherein the module includes a processor configured tocollect data from other modules of the modular system, the dataincluding identifiers of each of the other modules; and a storageelement arranged to store the identifier of the module and the moduledata; receiving updated module data from the interactive softwareexperience, the updated module data having been generated based on useof the module with the interactive software experience; and storing theupdated module data in the storage element in the module.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein operation of the interactive softwareexperience is changed in response to module data received from one ormore modules of the modular assembly system.
 19. The method according toclaim 18, wherein the module data received from the one or more modulesenables a previously inaccessible functionality of the interactivesoftware experience.
 20. A modular assembly system comprising a moduleand the module comprising: a processor configured to collect data fromother modules of the modular assembly system, the data includingidentifiers and module data of each of the other modules; a storageelement arranged to store an identifier of the module and module datafor the module; and a communications module arranged to transmit theidentifier and module data of the module and the other modules to acomputing-based device running the interactive software experience andto receive updated module data from the interactive software experience,the updated module data being generated in response to use of the modulewith the interactive software experience.